Spiker (1985) - full transcript
U.S. college athletes try out for the men's Olympic volleyball team under a tough coach (Michael Parks).
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
♪ Lovers always break
each other's hearts ♪
♪ And sometimes, neither
really wants to part ♪
♪ Well don't you see
the light in her eye ♪
♪ Don't you wanna hold
her all night long ♪
♪ And laugh till you cry ♪
♪ Don't you wanna (mumbles) so easily ♪
♪ Well so does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ Two hearts lonely ♪
♪ Somewhere in the night ♪
♪ Mission somehow they
could make it right ♪
♪ Well don't you see
the light in her eyes ♪
♪ Don't you wanna hold
her all night long ♪
♪ Laugh till you cry ♪
♪ Don't you wanna (mumbles) so easily ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ Don't you wanna dance ♪
♪ Don't you wanna sing ♪
♪ Don't you wanna know everything ♪
♪ Don't you wanna love ♪
♪ Don't you wanna fly ♪
♪ Don't you wanna touch the sky ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
♪ So does she ♪
- [Man] Here we are!
(horn honking)
(chattering)
- Oh hi Catch.
How you doin'?
- Fine, hey can you hold this for me?
- Sure.
- Hi Catch, where's Sonny?
- Your guess is as good as mine.
- Hey Sonny's gonna lose his
arm in a coyote (mumbles) yet.
(gentle music)
(hollering)
- Sonny!
Sonny, there's Sonny!
(chattering)
- Hey, Sonny, Sonny, Sonny, come here.
It's for you.
(chattering)
- All right!
(chattering)
Should we tell 'em?
- Yeah sure, why not?
- Hey listen!
- Oh it's a letter, you know
somebody who can write, huh?
- Absolutely.
In this envelope I have news!
- Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Heavy duty news!
(chattering)
Why don't you read it, huh?
- All right, all right.
Wait, wait, wait, all right.
Dear Mr. Reston, you're not Mr. Reston.
All right, you've been
selected to participate in
try outs for a permanent
spot as a member of the
United States Men's
National Volleyball Team.
(cheering)
Which is currently training
for the Olympic Games.
(chattering)
- Catch got a letter
too, (mumbles) Olympics.
Come on you guys.
Read Catch's letter.
- I don't know, man, I'm not so sure.
- Back up about three steps.
My shadow, you're on my
shadow, it's bad luck.
- Oh there we go.
Feel better big boy?
- So, what are you gonna do?
- I don't know, first I
couldn't wait for that offer
to get here, and now that it's here,
I don't know if I want it.
- You gotta be crazy.
You gotta be nuts to turn
down a crack at the Olympics.
- Hey, let's say we do it.
What if we don't get accepted,
I mean, who says we're
gonna make the team?
- Are you kidding?
We're the best, they need us.
- Okay, say we do it.
You know, we put in the time.
What happens if we don't win?
You know what happens
if we lose, then what?
- What do you want, Catch,
your whole life laid out
like a god damn blue print?
Who knows what's gonna happen.
Hey.
Make you a deal.
Heads we go, tails we don't.
Come on, you only live once.
What do you say?
- Flip it.
- [Sonny] Heads, we go!
- Still beating?
- Yeah, listen I saved 12 patients today.
You can be my 13th.
- That's good, thanks, Sandy.
Bet they don't have freshman
like you near the patients.
- Hey, watch who you're
calling a freshman.
At least I know which end gets the enema.
- God that's classy, you
tell that to your patients?
- What do ya got, a bunch of bills?
- Yup, same as always.
God why do banks always give you two?
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Hold your horses.
Dear Mr. Landow, you've
been selected to participate
in tryouts for a permanent
spot as a member of the
United States Men's National
Volleyball Olympic Team.
All right!
- Hey, Steve, are you gonna do this?
- Why not?
- What, quit medical school, are you nuts?
- No man, just postpone.
- Steve, you better think about it.
- Well, Sandy, I have.
- What for the past 20 seconds?
- No man, since premed.
I knew this might come up
and I was just waiting for
the opportunity.
- You're crazy.
- I'm not crazy--
(ambulance horn wailing)
- Let's go we got a code!
(chattering)
- I'm Coach Doames.
Join us.
- How you doin', I'm Sonny Reston.
- Well aren't you glad you're you?
Good morning.
Practice begins around
here at 8:00, 8:00 sharp.
It is now 8:07.
That'll be seven minutes
each on the Russian leaper
when practice is over,
and that's at 12:00 sharp.
Number one, you show up here
on time and in proper attire.
You in that purple
outfit, you can burn it.
Nobody, I repeat nobody
on this team dresses
like a beach bunny.
Number two, I will meet each
of you personally in my office
this afternoon,
I don't care if you made all
American five years in a row.
I care about one thing,
and one thing only.
The USA Men's Volleyball Team.
I do care how you play
volleyball, not as an individual,
but as a team.
I want this team to be the world's best.
My job is to see that you
reach that goal without
making a horse's ass out
of yourself in the process.
I want you in uniform,
taped and ready to play in
exactly 11 minutes, so move it.
Move it.
- I think he likes me.
- Oh everyone likes you.
- What's a Russian leaper?
- I don't know, I hope it's
a blonde with big boobs.
- 'Kay let's go, line it up
we're gonna run some sprints.
Come on, let's go, line up.
Line it up, ready, go!
(upbeat music)
Push it, all the way, come on all the way.
Let's go, line up.
- Newt Steinbech, how are ya?
- Catch.
- Heard you guys were
coming, Newt Steinbech, hi.
- Go!
All the way through, push it!
Let's go all the way
through, all the way through.
- (mumbles) usually goes to lunch.
The Soup Plantation, you guys wanna come?
- Sure.
- Ready, go!
All right, let's push it--
(whistle screeching)
- Yo, watch it.
- That's pretty nice.
- That's Newt's wife, man.
That's off limits.
He's crazy about her, so leave her alone.
Give me that water bottle.
Hey Newt, Marcia's here.
- I thought you were going shopping today.
- Alone, with no money?
- Go for lunch or something.
Do something.
- By myself?
- Jesus, Marcia.
- [Marcia] What do you want me to do,
drag some stranger off the street?
- Make some friends.
Try.
- Easy for you to say, Newt.
You got another fan letter today.
Dear Newt, I don't know how
to ask, but I guess the only
way is to be bold.
I would like very much
to have a drink with you.
And for us to get to know each other.
Please call, you're the
best looking man on the team
and I would love to sleep with you.
Love, Lisa.
- That is a pile of crap, and you know it.
- [Man] Newt!
- We'll talk later.
- [Man] Newt, on the leaper, no blockers.
(mumbles) on the jump box.
(mumbles) on the vertex.
- All right, the rest of you come here.
Over here.
Now this is our little
torture device we stole from
the Russians, it's called
the Russian leaper.
- What's it for?
- You'll love it, Sonny, tell him, Bill.
- It's gonna help with
the stamina in your legs.
You'll be able to jump higher (mumbles).
- Whatever it takes, Reston, get up.
I want you to take a deep breath first.
Put your arms up, don't use
your arms, just your legs.
I want you to jump 20 times.
Take a deep breath, just 20 times.
Go on.
(applause)
(chattering)
- Get some depth, get some depth, yes.
Squat down.
Keep your toes point straight ahead.
Come on drive it, now drive it let's go.
Let's go, come on, some depth, get down.
- Come on Newt, show him how to do it.
(chattering)
(upbeat music)
- Fast jumps, high as you can, let's go.
- That a boy, that a boy, get some spring.
Come on, quicker.
Swing it, get more lift off.
Lift off.
Come on, up.
Come on, come on, come
on, hold him down there.
Well what do we have here?
Miss Reston, prima ballerina.
Ballet class Reston.
Bend your knees, get some spring, come on.
- One thing, you get good eats.
- You've been here a long time, huh?
- I've been here about six years now.
I'm the old man of the team.
- Was it always this tough?
- Yeah, it gets tougher.
You gotta really want it.
- Oh I want it.
I want it.
- That's Pam Howard.
She hangs out with the team a lot.
- What about him, Mr. Friendly.
Does he ever smile?
- Doames is a tough coach.
My advice to you is keep on his good side.
Don't hassle him, blend into the woodwork.
- Blend in to the wood work?
- Anybody want an egg?
- [Sonny] Raw egg?
Raw oysters, yes, raw eggs?
- I'm sure you gentleman
can squeeze one more little
person in here.
Hi, I'm Pam Howard.
Welcome to the team.
- Sonny Reston.
Newt tells me you like to
hang around the team a lot.
- [Pam] Working on my master's thesis.
- And what's your thesis on, Miss, Miss--
- Howard.
The role of motivational psychodynamics
and interpersonal relationships
in sports oriented goals.
(chuckling)
- Sorry you asked?
- Hi.
- Hi yourself.
- Long time no see.
- Year and a half.
But who's counting.
- You look great.
Something's different
though, is it your hair?
- No, it's just longer.
- You know you don't want do
a thesis about this yo yo.
You need to do you know,
your major work on someone
who's warm and exciting
and colorful and vital
and thrusting.
- Really?
You know anyone like that?
- I gotta go.
Listen, I'll see you guys at practice.
- Take it easy, Newt.
- You got a place to stay yet?
- We'll figure it out.
- Take it easy on 'em.
- You know, it might
surprise you to know that
I have some historical
information about athletes.
- Really?
- I mean I bet you don't
even know what the ancient
philosophers said.
- No.
- Confucius said, "Man
with athletic finger
"make broad jump."
I mean I'm loaded with
information like that.
You know, anytime you name,
I'll be ready for an interview.
- Well that would be super.
Is it Sonny?
- Yeah.
- What's Sonny short for?
- Nothing, just a nickname.
- I thought your real name was Sidney.
Sidney Herbert Reston?
- Sonny.
S-O-N-N-Y, Sonny.
- Don't panic, if you're
good, I won't tell a soul.
- Hey, she's lethal.
- You're telling me.
She's a little dangerous she is.
- What's with you two, anyway?
Oh she's the one?
- Yeah, she's the one.
- Well what do ya know?
Listen you, you little hussy,
you broke my poor little
buddy's heart.
- I think it was the other way around.
- You animal!
- What do you say we have
dinner and we'll talk about it?
- Sounds good to me, I can make it.
- Okay, I know a quant little place.
Can you be there at 6:30?
- I think I can swing that.
- Oh, Catch, don't you have
an appointment with Doames
in 10 minutes?
(laughing)
And you S-O-N-N-Y, your
appointment's right after his.
- What's the name of
this quant little place?
- Pam's place, 6:30 sharp.
- I can make it, too, I can make it.
- Scott.
- Not a whole lot, okay.
Number one on the hit parade.
A tear down, on the
beach, $550, unfurnished.
- No, the waves go
through the living room.
- I did not pick it.
Okay, how about a studio?
Near the beach, $350.
Furnished.
- No I've seen it, it's (mumbles)
- He's tough.
You're up, Sonny.
- Look all right?
- You look fine.
Good luck.
- I can handle him.
- Now I'm a mirror.
- Sit down.
- Hey, cute little guy.
Is he yours?
- Why you wanna play on this team?
- I want to go to the Olympics.
- Why?
- Why?
- That's what I said, why?
- I don't know.
- You don't know?
You're gonna give up two
years of your life for no pay,
and I'll work your butt
off to stay in shape.
But you don't know why.
- Well, because if we win--
- What if we lose?
You're a damn good player, Reston.
But I'm gonna tell you something.
I'm gonna be watching you
like a bug under a microscope
for the next two weeks.
You don't come up with the right answers,
I don't know if you'll be
the right man for the team.
This is the housing list.
Rentals are high, but
it's a good guideline.
By the way, the staff found you a job.
- Thank you.
- I want you to keep one
thing uppermost in your mind
when you leave here.
From now on wherever
you go, whatever you do,
you represent the team.
You got that?
- Yes.
- That's all.
- Thank you.
- Send in Landow.
Reston?
Close the door.
- Sidney Herbert's late,
I guess we'll just start
without him.
- He was born late, and
he's kind of uptight about
that Sidney stuff, maybe you better just,
call him Sonny.
- Don't worry, I won't be (mumbles)
Here you go.
- Okay.
- Mr. Reston here, we got everything?
- Let me get your chair for ya.
- Thank you.
- There we go, how do you
make this machine work?
- Just punch the power.
Viola!
- Hm, well since Mr. Reston's not here,
I will take his seat, I
can barely see ya from the
far end of the table.
- It's okay by me.
- Here we go.
- To volleyball.
- To us.
- Catch--
- Hey come on.
It's only a toast.
Won't commit ya to anything.
Your apartment's sure nice.
- Thanks.
Think Sonny'll like what you rented?
- Doesn't have much choice, does he?
Have some salad?
- Thanks.
- I'm relieved about my job.
You know, real estate development.
Should be right up my alley.
- It is.
If I remember correctly,
political science was right
up your alley.
- Let's say we not get into that.
- Let's not get into it so fast you mean?
- Yeah.
Eat your spaghetti, kid.
- No, I just want to make
sure things are right where
we left 'em.
Certainly are, you're
still the same old Catch.
Forget to do what you're
really passionate about.
Just get out there and get
a mortgage, nice little job,
and make babies.
- What's wrong with that?
- Nothing, providing you
do what you're really
cut out to do.
For someone else, real
estate development is great.
For you, it's all wrong.
It's not your life's
work and shouldn't be.
You should have gone for your masters.
- Hey, you get your masters.
I'll do what I want, okay?
I suppose you think playing
for the team's all wrong,
too, huh?
- No.
I think it's wonderful,
as long as you go back to
school when it's over with.
As long as you finish something.
What's the use.
We probably had this
conversation 100 times before.
(knocking)
It's open.
- Ta-da!
Ready for this?
Welcome to the Town and
Country Hotel, my name is
Sonny Reston, Junior Management Trainee.
(upbeat music)
- [Man] Drive it hard,
drive it hard, come on.
You're an old man, you
gotta work a little harder.
Let's go!
- Lard count.
- 8.0.
Come on, let's go.
Come on Sonny, get it out.
Okay Sonny, that was good, one more time.
- I don't wanna live.
- Just watching, I work out too.
Hey, I'm sorry about last night.
- Oh you are, are ya?
(gentle music)
♪ Always wondered what it would be like ♪
♪ To kiss you ♪
♪ Kissing you is more
than worth the waiting ♪
♪ Ever since we met my love ♪
♪ I've lived the life of anticipating ♪
♪ Waiting for the next time we make love ♪
- [Man] Thanks boss.
- [Man] You got it.
- [Marcia] Leave it on.
- Sorry, thought you were asleep.
- No I like the TV on.
It makes me feel like
maybe there's another
person around here.
- Hey listen, I'm really beat.
Can I take a shower, then we'll talk?
- Yeah, you mean, I'll talk,
and you'll fall asleep?
- Can I take a shower?
- Yeah, go ahead, take a shower.
- It's that bad, huh?
- Yeah it's that bad.
- What do you want me to do?
- Nothing much.
Grow up.
Newt, I'm 31 years old.
You're 33, man, don't you
think it's about time?
- You look pretty good for 31 though.
- Could you be serious, just this once?
Newt, I want you to quit the team.
- Honey, I can't quit the team.
- Newt, I've been hanging
in there for six years.
Six years in these rotten
apartments in towns I hate.
- This isn't such a bad town, I mean,
people save up all their money
and they come here to retire.
It's a great town.
- Yeah, oh it's a great town.
If you got money and a home and a family.
It's a real nightmare
if you're married to an
overgrown kid, who's wasting
his whole life on a dream.
- It's not a dream.
We're gonna do it this year,
we're gonna win a medal.
- A medal?
What am I supposed to do with this medal?
Hold it?
Love it?
Talk to it?
Make a life with it?
No.
I want a husband who
spends some time with me.
Newt, a baby.
I want a normal life.
You know what I want.
Why do you make me tell
you over and over and over,
like you're deaf?
(sighing) Listen to me.
I'm turning into a shrew.
Newt, you're driving me crazy.
(hollering)
- What the hell's going on here?
- He taped my left foot first.
- So?
- So it's bad luck for me.
I like my right foot taped first.
- Oh I see.
Superstitious?
Well we wouldn't want any
bad luck to happen to him,
would we Bill?
Tell me something, Mr.
Reston, have you ever tried
sticking a rabbit's foot up your ass?
- No sir, I haven't tried that one yet.
- Well I recommend it highly.
It just so happens I'm fresh
out of rabbit's feet this
morning, so what we're gonna
do, we're gonna organize
a workout session for you
when practice session is over.
(mumbles) don't you, Mr. Reston?
- Soon as I'm taped.
- As soon as you're taped.
It's 8:05, what's five
minutes here or there?
Doesn't mean a thing.
- Boy I'm sure glad I'm
not gonna be in your shoes
this morning.
(talking over each other)
- Reston, let's go.
(talking over each other)
Dig, dig!
(chattering)
- [Man] Come on Sonny, touch it.
Come on, Sonny.
Touch it, Sonny, go!
(grunting)
- What I'm saying is, he
has a coaching philosophy
that says a winning team pushes beyond--
- Now what I'm saying is
that what he did to Sonny
was cruel and unjust punishment.
- And I disagree.
Winning teams don't have prima donna's.
And Sonny, I'm sorry to
say, is an A-1 first class
prima donna.
Doames always says--
- Oh Doames, Doames say,
who the hell is he, God?
Just a coach on a lousy volleyball team.
- He's not just a coach.
He's building the best team in American.
The best men, the best
spirit, the best attitudes.
- What are you, his little PR (mumbles).
Are you a retainer or what?
I'm sorry.
God, I don't know maybe I'm
not cut out for this whole
damn thing.
- Here, sit down.
Come here!
(gentle music)
- You died and went to heaven, sweetie.
Sonny, Sonny Reston, hey.
Hey, don't listen, I can
explain it all right.
I lost your number.
Honest.
You died and went to
heaven, sweetie, it's Sonny.
Yeah, how you been?
Great, good.
Well I've been meaning to call,
but I've been running raged.
But I've been thinking about you a lot.
Yeah, so what's going tonight?
Can't ya break it for a
little Sonny, come on?
Can't you break it?
Congratulations.
Hey, listen, somebody's at
the door, I gotta go, okay?
You died and went to heaven, sweetie.
Yeah, yeah, Sonny.
No I'm not, no.
I think I can make it later, what time?
Oh I'll be a little late.
All right, but I'll see ya okay?
Call ya later, yeah.
(chattering)
(hollering)
What kind of team is this anyway?
A guy doesn't get a wakeup call?
(chattering)
- Hello, Mr. Reston,
glad you could join us
for our little trip.
Because frankly in another
60 seconds, we'd have left
without you, that's company policy.
I see you have a nice
set of luggage there.
- Yeah, sure.
- You wouldn't happen to have
a shirt and tie in there,
would ya, and a jacket?
- [Sonny] Yes, I do.
- Nice pair of pants,
other than blue jeans?
- As a matter of fact, I do.
- Well good, what I want
you do is I want you
to take out those items I mentioned.
- Right here.
- Right now, I want you to take them out,
I want you to strip down,
I want you to put on a nice
shirt and tie, pair of
pants, and that jacket.
Go on, don't be shy.
Go on.
We want you to look like a gentleman.
We want your fans to love you to pieces.
(hollering)
(upbeat music)
(yelling over each other)
- Oh, Mr. Sonny!
Oh, is it really you in the flesh?
I've been watching you
play, you're so fabulous.
I just, oh--
- Get lost!
- Oh you say the sexiest things.
(giggling)
Can I have your autograph, please?
I'd just die.
- Where would you like it, sweetie?
- Oh, would right here be okay?
- Yeah, fine.
(hollering)
- [Tony] This is Tony Lother,
reporting on the USA men's
volleyball team as it
leaves on a domestic tour of
10 cities in as many days.
The underdog US team
ranked 19th in the world,
is challenging powerful
Soviet block teams, which have
dominated the sport
internationally for years.
A volleyball match consists
of the best three of five
games, each game played to 15 points.
Only the serving team can score points.
If the non-serving team
wins a rally, it's called
a side out, and it earns
the right to serve.
Veteran spiker, Newt Steinbech
is leading the US team's
assault against Bulgaria and Poland.
Tomorrow the tour moves to
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
and then on to Dayton,
Ohia, Des Moines, Iowa,
and Pocatello, Idaho.
Point USA.
All American Catch Viecelli
is one of several new
recruits including Sonny
Reston and Steve Landow,
who have sparked tonight's
amazing USA showing
against Poland, here in Pocatello.
It's a good thing, too,
because Coach Doames still
has to cut another eight
players from his team
before they reach the Olympics.
Who goes next is anybody's guess.
The team arrived home just
in time to watch the boys
on the pro circuit go for big prize money.
In order to maintain their amateur status,
members of the US team
cannot participate in this
popular sporting event.
- [Announcer] Action in all four courts.
Court one and two, third
round, are the winners bracket.
On courts three and four,
second round are the
losers bracket.
The lovely lady--
- Check it out.
Fox alert.
- [Announcer] We have an emergency.
Lost one bikini top,
found one bikini bottom.
Wanted one chilly young lady.
- It's Cuervo Gold.
- Man, these tour guys really rate.
Think she likes me.
She's looking at me.
- Hi guys.
- What do you say to
your friends out there?
There she is, guys, Miss Puerto Caribbean.
Look at those rippling muscles.
- Look at that.
I could have hammered that
one with my eyes shut.
Wanna know what these
guys'll walk away with?
Big bucks, that's all I know.
- Yeah, but they don't
go to Japan, and you do.
- Doesn't he ever get
tired of his own company?
- Some people don't mind being alone.
Like you, I'm sure you're
never bored with yourself.
- Hell no, I'm one of the more
interesting persons I know.
(laughing)
- But you've only been back two days.
Now you're going to Japan?
- Yeah, now we're going to Japan.
- But that's another 10 days.
Newt, I want you to listen to me.
I'm starting to freak out.
- Honey I think you ought to keep busy.
I know you've been looking for a job,
but if you could just
maybe find some work.
- What kind of job do
you think I'm gonna find?
With a BA in Art History?
I majored in how to be
the perfect wife, Newt.
And now I'm unemployed.
And I can't go back to
school, that costs money.
If you don't do something
to change this, Newt,
I'm telling you I don't
know what I'm gonna do.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
And you don't even give a damn.
- Ooh, she be spittin' nails, huh?
(upbeat music)
(chattering)
- [Announcer] Today's live
broadcast is coming to you
via satellite, directly
from the sport's palace in
Nagoya Japan.
The strong Japanese team
hasn't lost to the Americans
in 13 years, but the US
team is climbing fast
up the international ladder,
ranking now in the top 10.
Japan, the 1972 Olympic Champion,
opens the match with service.
(chattering)
Catch Viecelli is on the
attack for the United States,
and scores a point.
That score tied at two games a piece.
USA attempting match
point in the fifth game.
Catch Viecelli with another
powerful spike to turn
the tables for the United
States, as they win the best
three of five game match,
three games to two.
(hollering)
- Hey man, we forgot Reston.
Let's go, dude.
(chattering)
- (mumbles) poster.
- Sure, sure.
Two t-shirts, right?
Could you run upstairs
and get that for him?
Two t-shirts.
(mumbles)
Where's Sonny?
- He's not feeling too well,
his stomach's been acting up.
(chattering)
- [Female] We have big party,
you like a fox who fuck me.
No, you fuck me first.
- Sonny!
Hey Sonny, where've you been?
- Girls, here he is,
this is my best friend
in the whole world.
What did ya say your name was?
This is my buddy, Catch.
(talking over each other)
- Listen to me, buddy, I just
told Doames that you're sick.
You go in there lookin' like
you are right now man, it is--
(talking over each other)
- Hello, people.
Sorry I'm late.
I don't feel good, or something.
Coach.
(somber music)
♪ What can I tell you ♪
♪ What can I say ♪
♪ I stand today just
like every other day ♪
- [Man] I wanna get laid.
A hand job, a blow job, anything.
Come on Carlos, old buddy.
I wanna get fucked.
Oh yeah.
♪ Always caught with
something deep inside ♪
- [Man] Earl, see what she wants.
Hey baby, where's the
party, your place or mine?
Hey baby, you're beautiful.
I wanna get fucked.
No, no, this is on me.
♪ I am a dreamer ♪
♪ I am a saint ♪
- [Man] Oh fuck her.
♪ Like every other day ♪
♪ Just (mumbles) ♪
♪ For the next time we make love ♪
♪ Oh I'm waiting for the
next time we make love ♪
- Yeah, Sonny!
Where are you man?
The team's leaving.
Yeah, no, (mumbles) Sonny
would you get down here?
If you're not down here
in 30 seconds you're gonna
blow it, okay?
Okay, bye.
He said he'd be right down.
- [Coach Doames] All right, load 'em up.
We're leaving without him.
(airplane rumbling)
- Hey buddy, how you doing?
Just posted a month of drills
for you, Coach (mumbles).
- So what else is new?
Coach dumped me after he puts me through
a week of that crap.
- He won't dump ya--
- I'm not going through that again.
I'm leaving.
- You can't man, the team needs you--
- Bull shit.
(mumbles)
- [Coach Doames] Reston!
- I'm not perfect, I'm
human I make mistakes.
- Sonny!
Coffee?
- No.
- [Coach Doames] Sit down.
- [Sonny] Did you get my letter?
- Yes, I read your letter.
But I don't accept it.
- [Sonny] All of it?
- All of it.
- Figured.
Let's take it one part at a time.
I apologized on that.
- For missing the plane?
- Yeah I said I was sorry.
- Missing that plane, Mr. Reston,
is unacceptable behavior
as a member of this team.
So is your getting drunk.
As a matter of fact, there
are a lot of things about
you that are unacceptable.
- What more can I say than I'm sorry?
I apologized, that's not enough.
I'm not free to make
mistakes, I'm not free to say
I'm sorry, Coach, I guess
I just don't understand
what makes a guy like you tick?
- You know it's not your job
to find out what makes me tick.
Your job is to play
volleyball as best you can.
On a team, incidentally,
that could be the best in the world.
We have different ideas.
I think what we have here, Mr. Reston,
is two different notions
of freedom, yours and mine.
You know you, a lot of guys like you.
Don't have the beginning
of an understanding of
what freedom really means.
I don't think you understand
personally (mumbles) freedom.
Freedom is not the right
to act indiscriminately
any old way you choose, Mr. Reston.
We do not bend your arm,
put a gun to your head,
or force you to play ball with us.
As long as you remain
a member of this team,
you will hear and respond to
the standards set by this team.
Is that clear?
You're an incredible
ball player, potentially,
I repeat potentially might
be an asset to this team.
- But you think putting me
through a week of coach on one
will make me acceptable?
- No.
I believe it presents an
opportunity for you to shape up.
If you have the guts.
- The way I see it, Coach,
you're looking for an ass to
kick around and you think you found one.
- Well that's your humble
opinion, isn't Mr. Reston?
As long as you're a member of this team,
the rules are mine, not yours.
- Tell ya what, Coach, I
don't like your opinions.
And I don't like your rules.
I don't like 'em and I
don't need 'em so I'm gonna
exercise that freedom
you were talking about.
As of today, I quit!
- It does not surprise me, Mr. Reston.
- Simmer down, Celli.
What choice did Coach have?
He had to discipline him.
- What is this, the marines?
It's just a sport.
- Come on, Sonny was begging for it.
- Sonny's our best outside hit.
(mumbles)
He's just a big kid.
Can't win a medal without him.
Doames wouldn't give him an inch.
Jesus, this whole thing, just get to me.
(chattering)
- I didn't expect you to understand it.
But you're gonna accept it.
It's a team effort and you're all going.
- What's this got to do with volleyball?
- Well, every team needs cohesiveness.
The kind that toughs up
the bad time together.
Outward Bound is a program
that fosters that kind
of feeling, it's good hard physical stuff.
- We're doing that everyday.
- And I think it builds spirit.
- Can we bring our girlfriends along?
- Not yours, she's too ugly.
- What are we gonna do, climb a mountain
and pray we win?
- Something like that.
You can bring candles
if you'd like, Catch.
(chattering)
(birds chirping)
- All right, welcome to Outward Bound.
Put your personal gear off to the side.
The equipment you see around
here is what we're gonna be
taking on the course.
Okay, Catch, this is it.
This is your wardrobe,
(mumbles) head, with food.
It's all you got, take care of it.
Put your strap on right,
you'll blister your shoulders.
Okay, go on over to the trail head.
All right you guys, how you coming?
- [Men] Left, left, left right left.
Left, left, left right left.
♪ My legs are long, my pants are tight ♪
♪ My balls keep swinging
from left to right ♪
- [Men] Left, left, left right left
♪ My legs are long, my pants are tight ♪
♪ My balls keep swinging
from left to right ♪
- [Men] Left, left, left right left
- Okay, this is a practice play.
Procedure we're gonna use
when we're up on the rock.
Rope goes around Chris's back,
wraps around his arm.
So in the instance that the climber falls,
(mumbles) brings the rope
across the front of his chest.
Catch, Catch come on, man.
On the volleyball court
you can afford to mess up,
but out here, you mess up and
someone's gonna (mumbles).
(dramatic music)
(wind whirring)
(gentle music)
(intense music)
- [Man] Okay, I'm okay.
Climbing, climb.
- Steve.
You awake, man?
- [Steve] I am now.
- You ever do anything crazy?
- [Steve] You mean crazy crazy?
Off the wall crazy?
(mumbles)
- [Steve] I once drove
180 miles in the rain
to bring a girl flowers.
- What happened?
- Nothing.
She wasn't home.
(laughing)
Ah, it's okay though.
My mother was home.
(laughing)
I'll tell ya, a lot people
thought I was crazy when
I quit my residency to play volleyball.
- Think I was crazy if,
I told you I wanted out?
- Out?
There's no out.
We're stuck here.
(mumbles)
- O-U-T out.
Off the team.
- You mean it?
- I'm beginning to think
this whole thing's like
off the deep end crazy.
I don't understand the coach.
God, I don't know why the
hell I tried out for this--
- Hey, hey.
All you need is a steak.
Some deer, and a good night's sleep.
- What is that, your medical opinion?
- Yeah, no charge.
- What a guy.
- If you're still feeling
bad in the morning,
give me a call.
- [Announcer] Tonight's
Sports Special will feature
the USA men's volleyball
team, which just concluded
a grueling three week--
- Here we go, just what the world needs.
Volleyball players in snow suits.
- [Announcer] That was
designed to unify his team,
and commented for Sports
Special when the team returned
this afternoon.
- [Coach Doames] I'm not
saying anyone liked it.
It was one tough trip,
but I am proud of what the
team accomplished.
I think that they--
- Now what did ya do that for?
He was stroking you guys.
- Ah, he didn't mean it.
That was just for public consumption.
- You know don't give him
credit for anything do you?
- I won't give him credit.
Now listen, sweetheart, (mumbles) that was
the coldest most rottenest,
most miserable trip of my life.
- Now, Mr. Viecelli,
if you lie down on this couch,
we will continue with your analysis.
You see, Mr. Viecelli, you
are a very, as they say
in America, screwed up individual.
You do not know what
you want, and therefore,
we will have to submit you
to some very deep probing.
We will start with your shirt.
Did you not (mumbles)
when this shirt is on.
Ooh.
(laughing)
(mumbles) ticklish.
Ah, this ticklish is very (mumbles).
This calls for drastic measures.
We will have to remove your pants.
(laughing)
(gentle music)
- Okay, this'll be the big one.
Best in the world will be there.
Cuba, Japan, East Germans, Polls, Soviets.
They're more experienced,
older, and they play for keeps.
We'll start in Warsaw, go to
(mumbles), go back to Warsaw.
One thing, boys, where
you are, and who you are.
That's it, that's all.
- [Man] Hey, does he mean for keeps?
- [Man] For keeps?
You mean screw up and we're history man.
- [Man] Final cut time, last
chance to stay on the team.
- [Tony] Hello, again, everyone.
This is Tony Lovett,
live from Warsaw, Poland.
Site of the International
Volleyball Federation
Invitational Tournament.
(speaking in foreign language)
("The Star Spangled Banner")
("Poland is Not Yet Lost")
- [Tony] Opening the game
with service for Poland
is number five, Anjay Ostrovski.
(grunting)
Great save by Dusty Dvorak.
(upbeat music)
- [Tony] Side out, USA.
Serving is number four, Catch Viecelli.
(cheering drowns out announcer)
USA, Catch Viecelli continues to serve.
(grunting)
(cheering)
Ball is out.
Point USA.
Dusty Dvorak off the block.
Point USA.
Catch Viecelli still serving
for the United States.
Net violation called against Poland.
Point USA.
(crowd booing)
(chattering)
Four serving zero.
Catch Viecelli still serving
for the United States.
Point USA.
Great saving dig by Newt Steinbech.
Stuff blocked by Craig
Bock and Dusty Dvorak.
Point USA.
Catch Viecelli still serving for the USA.
Great save by Steve Landow.
Referee rules the ball good.
Side out, Poland.
Left (mumbles) point Poland.
One serving six.
(cheering)
Left Wasco, point Poland.
Two serving six.
Great save by Catch Viecelli.
Stop blocked, point Poland.
(speaking in foreign
language) point Poland.
(talking over each other)
- Forget it, forget it.
We can't do anything about it.
All we can do is play our game.
Now let's get a side out, come on, Dusty.
Head up your position.
Come on, play the game.
Here we go.
- [Tony] Good diving save by Viecelli.
(whistle screeching)
Point Poland.
- Oh my nose.
- [Tony] USA.
The injured player is
number one, Dusty Dvorak.
Dvorak will return to the game.
(crowd chanting)
(whistle screeching)
All ruled good.
Point Poland.
(yelling over each other)
- What are you talking
about man, the ball was out,
it was clearly out.
(mumbles) why don't
you just give the whole
damn game to 'em?
Oh sure, give 'em the
game, give 'em the game.
- [Tony] Yellow card warning
issued to player number four
of the USA, Catch Viecelli.
Ball deflected out of bounds.
Point Poland.
Stop blocked.
Point Poland.
Left Wasco, point Poland.
Ball is out.
Point Poland.
10 serving six.
Ball is out.
Point Poland.
Stop blocked my Poland, point.
Poland now attempting game point.
(whistle screeching)
Point and game, Poland.
(cheering)
Poland wins the game, 15, six.
- Hi.
Yeah, looking for some ice cream.
Do you have any ice cream?
Oh, here.
Ice cream?
Okay, chocolate?
- That means no.
- Oh, I didn't know you spoke Polish.
How about this one?
Okay, vanilla.
Okay, three vanilla.
Two vanilla.
- Figures they'd only have vanilla.
You know I always hated vanilla,
even as a kid I hated vanilla.
In case you guys haven't
noticed, nothing has gone
right in this country so far.
I mean how about that game?
They cheated us, man, they
out and out cheated us.
- Yeah, I know, wait till
next year, they're gonna
be on our turf and we
will kick their butts.
- Anything but vanilla,
not even Haagen-Dazs
nothing but vanilla.
- Don't look now, guys, but
I think there's a woman.
I think there's a woman
that's been following us
ever since the game was over.
- I'm gonna go see what she wants.
(alarm wailing)
(speaking in foreign language)
Hi.
My name's Catch.
We're with the US Men's Volleyball Team.
- I know.
I saw you play today.
- You speak English.
- I went to school in America.
- You gotta be kidding me.
How?
- I was an exchange student
but that was before.
My mother became ill.
A few months ago she died.
It was right at the time
martial law was imposed.
I couldn't leave.
I was trapped.
- Are you gonna stay here?
- Oh you don't understand.
I'm trapped, I must go back to America.
Peter is there.
Look, I wanna show you.
Here he is.
He's waiting for me.
He doesn't know what happened.
I can't even write what
I want in a letter.
These.
These are my family, you see?
Everyone I love is there.
I must go back.
How can I explain what it's like here?
Watching all the time.
You never know who is listening.
Who is following.
I know this is going to sound strange,
but I was hoping maybe you could help me.
You see, I have these papers, documents.
What I need someone to do--
- Hey, wait a minute.
- Please, don't say no, it
would be so simple for you.
I have it all worked out.
Look.
You see, so simple?
You carry posters, lots of
posters, I've seen them.
Nobody will be bothering
you, not the American team.
I know.
- Wanda.
Honestly, I'd like to help you.
- Please.
- I'll see what I can do.
- Would you?
- Let's go, let's go, let's go!
(chattering)
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey.
Check out the incredible hulk
with the gun at the door.
What are you gettin' us into?
- She needs help.
Hey look, she's not asking for much,
she needs somebody to
hand carry these letters,
forward it to the right
lawyer in the states.
She can't mail 'em here
because they open the mail.
Hey it could speed up her
immigration status by years.
- What are you gonna do if you get caught?
- I won't get caught.
- What if you do?
- I'm American, they won't
mess with an American.
- Hey look, do you realize
that if you do get caught,
you're gonna be making things
really rough for not only her
but her whole family.
- And what are you gonna do if the press
gets a hold of this?
- Not to mention the coach.
Huh, I mean the coach is
gonna bounce your buns off
this team so fast that
you're head's gonna spin.
- I'm gonna do it.
- Go for it, dude.
- Right bud.
- Thanks, Jack.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Hey, where's Doames?
- He took an earlier flight.
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Announcer] All
passengers for flight 402
ready to board at gate 12.
(speaking in foreign language)
All passengers for flight
402 ready for boarding
at gate 12.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Check it out.
- There goes the gold.
- Can't look over there, too suspicious.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Papers.
- Is there some problem, sir?
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Announcer] Leaving from gate
12, all passengers on board.
- Who is this?
- It's Tom Selleck.
- All the same.
This Tom--
- Selleck.
- Tom Selleck, who is he?
- He's an American movie star.
- Any of you guys back
there see where those
clowns took Catch?
- [Man] Nah.
- I have a report on you.
About you and a girl, Polish girl.
Wanda (speaking in foreign language).
Sound familiar.
- Yeah, I met her in Warsaw.
In an ice cream parlor and
we talked a little bit.
She went to school in the states.
She knew English.
- What time is this plane
supposed to take off?
- About 10 minutes ago.
- Anything else?
- No sir.
- Go.
(speaking in foreign language)
Go, go, go.
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Pilot] This is Captain
(mumbles) speaking.
All passengers continuing
on to New York will have
15 minutes to change plans in Vienna.
- Wow, what took you so long?
- Ice cream was melting.
Hold this.
- This is disgusting.
(laughing)
- Check it out guys.
Read 'em and weep.
- All right dude.
(laughing)
- They're vanilla papers.
- That's great, that's great.
You wanna take your cone back now?
Hope you have a napkin
because if you don't this
is going all over your jacket.
(talking over each other)
- Catch!
Catch, hi!
- Hey Newt.
This guy here's looking for ya.
- You Mr. Newton Steinbech?
- Yeah.
Christmas card?
I just got my welcome home.
Divorce papers.
- Sorry.
- [Catch] That tour was lousy.
They Poland be great fun, you know.
Last (mumbles) blast.
- [Pam] You must (mumbles) one good match
and you'll feel great.
- Nah, it's not it.
It's a trip, trip is a real eye opener.
Apparently the world's in deep yogurt.
You know, people are miserable.
What am I doing bouncing my ball around?
Jesus, what a big deal, huh?
- Catch, you just can't.
- No, no.
Really it's like,
what's this whole fricken thing about?
I don't know.
Who cares?
- You do.
- You wanna know what I care about?
I want to live a normal
life with the girl I love.
- What are you talking about?
Is this a proposal or a proposition?
I want this in writing.
- Quit shoving little girl.
It's a proposal.
- [Sonny] Well what do you think?
- [Catch] It's awesome
man, totally awesome.
- [Sonny] Join the circuit, you
can have one in every color.
Come on, take a look around.
How about the last two
bedroom with the pool view
and jacuzzi, tennis courts.
Terrific deal.
See the blonde?
- [Catch] How could I miss her?
- [Sonny] The one on the left, cute huh?
- [Catch] Yeah.
- [Female] Hi Sonny.
- [Sonny] Sister act.
Good, I'll introduce ya.
- [Catch] Thanks, but I'll pass.
- Oh yeah I forgot, (humming)
So how's the little shrink?
- Pam, she's great.
Actually, that's a lie.
Right now she's plenty PO'd at me.
- What did ya do, forget her birthday?
- Worse.
Thinking about quitting the team.
- You're kidding.
- Nope.
- I don't believe it.
Why?
- Well you know why.
You were there.
Should have left when you did.
- Hey a lot of water under
the bridge since then.
You're awful close to the Olympics.
- That's not the end of the world.
And look at you, you
left, you're doing great.
- Well hold it, what are you gonna do,
follow me around the rest of my life?
- Come off it buddy, nah.
(mumbles) been begging
me the last two or three
months to join the circuit.
- Hey, wow.
Look Celli, you know me, diarrhea mouth.
I mean I talk a good stick.
Circuit's okay for
someone like me, but you?
The Olympics, that's class.
Don't do it, Celli.
You'll regret it.
I'll never get a crack at
anything like that again.
Hey, Sherry, Sherry.
I want you to meet my best friend.
- [Celeste] It's Celeste.
- Celeste.
- [Celeste] Hi Sonny.
- Hi Sherry.
Catch Viecelli.
- How do you do?
How about we get some (audio cuts out)
go for the hot tub?
- Sounds like fun.
- Okay, sounds good.
- Ready?
(gentle music)
- Well you're gonna want these.
- Well what about the rest of this stuff?
Don't you want anything?
The TV?
- No, no you keep it.
I could use the little coffee pot.
- Okay.
Here.
The cord's inside.
Newt, I hope you win.
I hope the Olympics are worth it.
- Marcia, I tried.
- Yeah, I guess you did.
- Have you had a lover?
- Newt, that was never the issue here.
- [Newt] Do you?
- No.
Not anymore.
He just left me his keys.
- Wow.
Hey, you're on the US volleyball team.
You guys are going to the Olympics.
Boy you really play.
Where'd you learn?
- [Catch] At college.
- I figured.
You're good.
Think maybe if I practice
I can make a college team?
- Yeah, I bet you could.
- I'd like to play at the Olympics.
I bet you think that's crazy.
- Nah, that's not crazy.
Why do you want to play at the Olympics?
- Why wouldn't I?
If you win the medal then
the whole world knows
your country's the best.
I'd like to be best.
Wouldn't you?
- Yeah, I sure would.
So what do you think your dad would say if
your team lost, you know,
and you weren't the best?
- Well, he says it happens a lot.
He says it hurts but that's the breaks.
Hey you know what?
My grandfather almost made
the Olympic swimming team.
- Yeah?
- He got sick and couldn't go.
- That was the breaks huh?
- But he almost made it.
He said that's all I talked
about for the rest of his life.
How he almost made it.
I'm sure gonna try.
I'm a terrible swimmer though.
But my dad says I've got
a chance at volleyball.
- [Man] Gary, come on!
Come on!
- Well, good luck to you.
- [Gary] Thanks, thanks a lot.
(phone ringing)
- Yeah?
3:00?
Good.
(mumbles)
I know, I know.
I'd like to keep all of 'em.
Okay.
(grunting)
- Let's go!
- Steve.
I wanted you to see it before I posted it.
I'm sorry.
- Wait a minute.
I haven't been late for
one practice in all these
months I've been here.
- I know that Steve.
- If you know that then
why I am being cut?
- You work as hard as anybody here.
- I know I work as hard as anybody here.
- Somebody has to be cut, Steve.
- So you're,
fine, I'm a damn good player.
- Yes, you are.
- That's what you're gonna say again.
Not good enough to make the Olympics.
- I know.
Calm down, Catch.
- It's not fair.
Why would he cut a guy like Steve, huh?
You should have seen the
look on Steve's face.
- And who would you suggest he cut?
Name one player on that
team who isn't good?
You think the coach likes doing it?
- I don't care what the coach likes.
I don't care what he
doesn't like, I'm sick of
worrying about it.
I'm sick of the whole damn game.
- You my dear are looking
for an excuse to quit.
- Just stop analyzing me.
- Well I'm gonna tell you
something, Catch Viecelli.
I love you, I really do.
But I do not intend to
tell my children their
father was a quitter.
- Is that what you think?
- Yes.
- Going somewhere?
I heard rumors.
You could have at least
told me to my face.
- Yeah, I was headed to your office now.
- Mind if I sit down?
- Sit down.
It's your gym.
- All right.
Tell me how much you hate my guts.
- I don't hate anybody.
- [Coach Doames] Oh come on.
I'm a no good tight ass son
of a bitch, ain't that right?
- Wow, you really wanna get into it?
- Yeah, I'd like to get into it.
Tell me what's on your mind.
Celli?
Isn't that what your friends
call you, Celli Belly?
It's a wonderful name for a grown man.
Come on tell me, Celli.
I'm a no good son of a bitch.
Can you say it to my face,
or just behind my back?
I'm uncaring, hard nosed,
unfeeling, come on.
- Who are you kidding?
You don't care what I think or how I feel.
Not me, not anybody else on this team.
If you did it might have
made things a little easier.
- Easier, is that what you want?
You want it easy?
- You know what I want?
- [Coach Doames] Tell me.
- You rag us, you goat us.
And you treat us like
dirt under your feet.
You never stopped to think for one minute
that maybe one lousy
little pat on the back that
might work miracles.
- Ah, there it goes.
You know what a miracle is?
A miracle is when you
have the guts enough to
use your God given talent.
That's a miracle, that's
what I like to see.
You don't need a pat on the back, Celli.
You need a swift kick in the ass.
You don't try, you don't push.
You're gutless wonder.
- I won't listen to your crap--
- Oh yes you do until
you're officially gone
you'll listen to it.
- It's official, I'm leaving.
- Not till I'm through.
You know what you're like?
You're like your pal, Sonny.
The chicken shit quitter.
- Hey Sonny's no chicken.
You're the coward, you're afraid, Doames,
you're scared shitless.
You wanna know what you're afraid of?
You're afraid of us.
You'd wet your pants
if you got close to us.
You're scared you might
break down and care about us.
Really care.
Some flesh and blood father.
Let me tell you something.
I wouldn't want you for a father.
And if I were your son, I
wouldn't walk out of here,
I'd run.
And I'd run so far and fast
you'd never see me again.
- You wanna leave?
(mumbles)
What are you trying to prove?
That I can bleed?
I can bleed.
I had a son, Catch.
He died when he was 10 years old.
From meningitis.
I'll tell you something.
He wouldn't have run away from me.
In a million years, but he's gone anyway.
I know about losing, I know about hurting,
and I know about pain in my guts.
So if any of that means
anything to you, Catch,
I want you to stay because
we need you and because if
you quit, you'll never be what you can be.
It's what it's all about, isn't it?
I don't think you're there
yet, Catch, you're a long
way (mumbles).
You know, you're right about one thing.
The toughest part of
growing older is accepting
what you may never have.
(mumbles)
But how you gonna know?
Are you gonna know?
Unless you push it beyond those limits.
That's what I want for you, Catch.
You've got the chance now.
Once in a lifetime.
(somber music)
- Boys, let's gather up over here.
- All right, this is it.
This is what you've been working for.
I'm privileged to announce
that officially we have
been chosen to represent
the United States at
the Olympics.
My congratulations.
(talking over each other)
Now you've got the rings,
let's see if you've earned
the right to wear them.
This is your gear.
Pick it up.
(chattering)
Viecelli didn't call in?
If he's not here by 8:00
sharp, call Landow back
and cut Viecelli.
- [Man] Okay, start without Catch.
(upbeat music)
(chattering)
♪ Here we are tomorrow's family ♪
♪ Think about the things that we can do ♪
♪ We can go (mumbles) ♪
♪ Don't you know it's only up to you ♪
♪ But you'll never believe in anything ♪
♪ If you can't believe tonight ♪
♪ What don't you believe
what you believe is right ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ We're going on a
journey to forevermore ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ But tonight we can go for everything ♪
♪ And lay it on the line ♪
♪ Don't be afraid tonight
is yours and mine ♪
♪ Going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ Going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ There are some things
worse than losing ♪
♪ One is being too afraid to lose ♪
♪ Never know what fate is waiting ♪
♪ At the end of any road you choose ♪
♪ Tonight we can go for everything ♪
♪ And lay it on the line ♪
♪ Don't be afraid tonight
is yours and mine ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ We're going on a
journey to forevermore ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ We're going on a
journey to forevermore ♪
♪ We're going on a journey to the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪
♪ To the stars ♪